Chapter 163

"Jion-ama," Yuta said, "may I present my wife, the Lady Noriko." "Ama" was one of the titles used to address a woman religious.

Jion's face was well schooled by many years of Buddhist practice, so she did not react with particular surprise, but "lady?" That was unusual for the wife of a teacher, except at an Imperial University.

"I am honored to meet you, Jion-ama," Noriko replied with a bow. "These are our nieces."

Introductions were unusual. It wasn't considered necessary for people to know about retainers, relatives, servants or other inferiors surrounding the people to whom they actually spoke. Even those they spoke to often remained anonymous, but this Western custom did make things easier, Noriko had found. At least, when she worked at the inn, it helped her keep relationships straight within groups of guests and have a way to address guests, though "the guest in the Mount Takao room" was usually all that was needed for adequate identification.